motor cars

Fine automobilia | 27

78 ◊
A wheel disc from J.g. pArry-thomAs’
world lAnd speed record cAr ‘bAbs’,
aluminium with salt water corrosion approx 60cm
diameter, mounted in a Perspex display, stand 89 x
78 x 18cm, with images and text about the car.
£800 - 1,200
€1,000 - 1,500

The wheel was recovered from the wreckage of
‘BABS’ after a failed attempt at the land speed
record in which Parry-Thomas lost his life.
‘BABS’ started its life as Count Louis Zborowski’s
‘Chitty 4’, the largest capacity racing car to run at
Brooklands. Parry-Thomas purchased ‘Chitty 4’ for
£125, rebuilt it, and re-named it ‘BABS’, using the
car to break the land speed record in April 1926.
Upon learning that Henry Segrave intended to set a
new record of close to 200mph, Parry-Thomas took
‘BABS’ to Pendine Sands in Wales to improve on his
own record. During the attempt the car skidded and
turned over causing the car to be destroyed and
Parry-Thomas to lose his life. ‘BABS’ was buried
amongst the sand dunes at Pendine.
In 1962 ‘BABS’ was salvaged by Owen Wyn Owen
and although badly damaged and suffering from salt
water corrosion to the aluminium, the car was found
to be more complete than imagined. It was restored
and is now exhibited extensively.

79
A bentley rAdiAtor decAnter, by
ruddspeed,
chromed, with mesh grille, bearing red enamel
‘Winged B’ badge and complete with cap, stamped
‘Ruddspeed Ltd (England). Reg. Design’ to reverse,
complete with original presentation box.
(2)
£500 - 800
€630 - 1,000

80 †
An ss JAguAr rAdiAtor decAnter,
chromed with wire grille, with black enamelled
badge and complete with cap, 18cm high.
£600 - 800
€750 - 1,000

81 †
A rolls-royce rAdiAtor decAnter by
ruddspeed,
chromed, with grille, enamelled badge, and
complete with plastic miniature Spirit of Ecstasy
mascot, 23cm high overall.
£600 - 800
€750 - 1,000

82 †
A bentley rAdiAtor decAnter by
ruddspeed,
chromed, with wire radiator grille, complete with
enamelled badge and cap, 20cm high.
£600 - 800
€750 - 1,000

83 †
A mercedes-benZ rAdiAtor decAnter,
by ruddspeed,
chromed, with printed radiator grille, bearing enamel
badge and complete with mascot, 22cm high
overall.
£900 - 1,200
€1,100 - 1,500

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